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Island artists open up their doors for their annual tour

Artists are busy preparing for the annual spring Vashon Island Art Studio Tour, when visitors get to step into the cabins, garages, homes and yurts, where Vashon’s many artists create their art, and browse their bountiful work.

The tour, which is free, is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on two consecutive weekends — May 7, 8, 14 and 15. More the 20 studios, in all corners of the Island, will be open for the tour.

Garden art is one focus this year, with artists Brian Fisher, Jim Gardener, Penny Grist, Larry Muir, Dean Hanmer and others showing new work meant to be displayed in the great outdoors.

Other familiar Island artists will display work that has taken them in new directions.

Morgan Brig, for instance, will show etched and enameled clocks this year, and Valerie Willson, a painter, will display new encaustic works.

Tour-goers can also watch artists at work. At the Raven’s Nest, native carver Israel Shotridge will be in residence, and Emily Pruiksma will demonstrate Ukranian Easter egg dying at Fiddle Home Beeswax Studio in Paradise Valley.

As always, veteran glass-blower Brian Brenno will offer visitors a chance to blow their own piece of glass, and Liz Lewis, whose brightly painted pottery can be found in may Vashon homes, will do demonstrations at the potter’s wheel.

The tour, which started 25 years ago largely as a potters’ show, now takes place twice a year and involves up to 100 artists. Brochures with maps of the spring tour are available at most retail outlets. Or visit the tour’s website at www.vashonislandartstudiotour.com.

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